Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

    Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

    The guides try to explain why things are done the way they are and they try to allay the feelings of trepidation with which the xenophobe approaches new territory. This particular book looks at the French.

    Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

    Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

    Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

    Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

    The guides try to explain why things are done the way they are,and they try to allay the feelings of trepidation with which the xenophobe approaches new territory. This particular book looks at the Belgians.

    Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

    Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

    Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

    Their reserve is not a defense against the rest of the world: it is a protective cover, like the lid of a nuclear reactor. Rob joyCalvinism is still deeply ingrained in the Scottish soul. A Scottish poet, overcome by the joy of sunshine and blue sky, once cried out what a fine day it was. The woman to whom he spoke replied, “We'll pay for it, we'll pay for it.” Cunning and cleverThe Scots respect cleverness and like to feel that they possess plenty of it themselves. In Scotland there is nothing wrong with being clever, so long as you show it by words or actions, rather than by bragging. You don't have to hide it. To say of someone that “he has a good conceit of himself” is neither praise nor blame, just a statement of fact.

    The general implication is that Irish people are a mass of contradictions, and impervious to the rational thought processes that might resolve them.

    Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

    The first word between two lovers in the morning is "G'day." The other main greeting would have to be "G'day mate." The reason why this brief greeting has such universal acceptance is simple: it's the flies. The longer your mouth is open the more flies that can crawl in.'